Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II vs Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 — Which Is Better?
Side by side47 specifications |
Olympus · Mirrorless · 16.1 MP · Micro Four Thirds · Full HD video
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II
59
WINNER
|
Panasonic · Mirrorless · 16 MP · Micro Four Thirds · 4K video
Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80
58
SCORE
|
|---|---|---|
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| General | ||
Read the General ComparisonGeneralThe Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 are compact Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras with weather-sealed bodies and in-body stabilisation. Olympus launched the E-M5 Mark II in 2015 and Panasonic the G80 in 2016. Both use the Micro 4/3 mount, so your lenses carry across either body. The E-M5 Mark II is the smaller and lighter body, measuring 124 x 85 x 45 mm and weighing 469 g. The G80 is bigger at 128 x 89 x 74 mm and 505 g, a 36 g difference. | ||
Released ⓘRefers to the year this camera was officially made available for sale. |
2015 | 2016 |
Announcement date ⓘRefers to the date the manufacturer publicly announced the upcoming release and general specs of this camera. |
February 5, 2015 | September 19, 2016 |
| Camera type |  Mirrorless | Mirrorless |
| Camera size | 124 x 85 x 45 mm | 128 x 89 x 74 mm |
| Camera weight | 469 g | 505 g |
| Optics | 58/100 | 57/100 |
Read the Optics ComparisonOpticsThe E-M5 Mark II gives you a broader autofocus spread for erratically moving subjects, with 81 autofocus points against 49 on the G80. It also shoots slightly faster bursts, 10 fps against 9 fps. The G80's 1/16000 second top shutter speed, double the E-M5 Mark II's 1/8000, keeps wide apertures usable in bright light. Resolution is effectively shared, 16.1 megapixels against 16, so neither offers a meaningful cropping advantage. Both use CMOS Micro Four Thirds sensors with in-body stabilisation for handheld work. Their electronic viewfinders match at 2,360,000 dots. | ||
Megapixels ⓘThe higher the number of megapixels, the more detail the cameras sensor can capture. |
16.1 MP050 | 16 MP050 |
Image resolution ⓘImage resolution is measured in pixels and megapixels, width by height. The higher the number, the higher its resolution. |
4608 x 3456 | 4592 x 3448 |
Sensor type ⓘThe camera sensor captures light and records the image. Sensors vary in physical size, the number of pixels, and quality. |
CMOS | CMOS |
Sensor size ⓘThe sensor size contributes to the overall quality as well as the dynamic and tonal range a camera can capture. As a rule of thumb, the more surface there is to read the light, the more information it will capture. |
13 x 17.3 | 13 x 17.3 |
Sensor format ⓘRefers to the most commonly used sensor sizes. |
 Micro Four Thirds | Micro Four Thirds |
Continuous shooting ⓘThe number of sequential frames per second the camera can write to the memory card when shooting in burst or continuous mode. |
10 fps045 | 9 fps045 |
Lens mount ⓘThe lens mount will tell you what type of lens range you can fit onto the camera body. Often the same camera company will have different lens ranges for different cameras. |
Micro 4/3 | Micro 4/3 |
Image processor ⓘThe image processor in the camera converts the information collected on the sensor for digital storage on the memory card. |
TruePic VII | Venus Engine |
Aspect ratio ⓘThe aspect ratio refers to the proportional difference between width and height. The most popular aspect ratios are 3:2 and 4:3. |
 4:3 | 4:3 |
Min ISO ⓘRefers to the lowest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Lower ISO are less sensitive to light but make a cleaner image. |
20030200 | 20030200 |
Max ISO ⓘRefers to the highest native (or 'base') ISO setting. Higher ISO is necessary for low-light situations or night photography, but higher ISOs often introduce grain or noise. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Min ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
10030200 | 10030200 |
Max ISO (expanded) ⓘExpanded (or extended) ISO is a digitally enhanced feature available on some cameras. It allows you to push beyond the native ISO range if necessary. |
256003003280000 | 256003003280000 |
Minimum shutter speed ⓘThe minimum shutter speed will tell you the longest exposure your camera can take without using an external accessory. |
6044080 | 6044080 |
Max shutter speed ⓘThe maximum shutter speed tells you the length inside 1 second the camera will capture. These can sometimes be extended with accessories such as extra external batteries. |
800080032000 | 1600080032000 |
Autofocus points ⓘAutofocus points show where the camera is focusing graphically as squares or brackets in Live View or on an electronic viewfinder. These points are also used for light meter readings. |
810300 | 490300 |
In-body stabilisation ⓘIn-body Stabilization means the camera has a certain technology embedded that counteracts camera shake. |
 Yes | Yes |
Viewfinder type ⓘThe viewfinder type is either electronic or optical. Electronic viewfinders will have a small screen in the viewfinder. Optical viewfinders will use prisms and mirrors to look through the lens. |
Electronic | Electronic |
| Viewfinder dots | 236000009900000 | 236000009900000 |
| Video | 70/100 | 56/100 |
Read the Video ComparisonVideoThe G80 is the clear choice for 4K footage, recording at up to 4K where the E-M5 Mark II stops at Full HD. That extra resolution gives you room to crop or reframe a handheld clip in editing. For web projects and family archives, the E-M5 Mark II's Full HD still delivers finished clips. The E-M5 Mark II answers with a higher maximum video frame rate, 60 fps against the G80's 30 fps. Built-in timelapse shooting, which the G80 lacks, lets you run interval sequences without add-on gear. It saves MOV and AVI files, while the G80 records MPEG-4 and AVCHD, so match these to your editing software. | ||
Video ⓘIndicates if this camera is capable of recording video. |
 Yes | Yes |
Max video resolution ⓘThe best resolution this camera can capture video in. Modern cameras can capture up to 8K video. |
 Full HD |  4K |
Max video format ⓘVideo resolution measured by the greatest number of pixels possible in each frame, width by height. A higher resolution means more detail or clarity in your video. |
1920 x 1080 | 3840 x 2160 |
Max video frame rate ⓘHow many frames per second your video will capture. Most cameras have options for multiple frame rates, depending on the resolution you shoot in. For a general video, 24p or 30p is the standard, but more serious filmmakers may need a higher frame rate for creative effect. |
60 fps | 30 fps |
Timelapse built in ⓘA built in time-lapse mode will allow continuous shooting throughout a prolonged period of time to be compressed into a sped up video. |
 Yes | No |
Video file format ⓘDifferent cameras can record in various video file formats. The File format you record in can impact how you edit and use the files. |
MOV, AVI | MPEG-4, AVCHD |
| Features | 70/100 | 70/100 |
Read the Features ComparisonFeaturesThe G80 carries a built-in flash, so fill light for backlit portraits is part of the body. The E-M5 Mark II has none, but both support external flash units. Either screen is a 3-inch touch LCD that flips out for waist-level and selfie framing. Both bodies are weather-sealed for outdoor work and offer Wi-Fi for wireless transfer to a phone. Neither includes GPS or Bluetooth. Rear screen resolution differs only slightly: 1,040,000 dots on the G80, 1,037,000 on the E-M5 Mark II. | ||
Builtin flash ⓘA built-in flash will often be positioned right above the lens. This will automatically pop up when you activate it. |
No |  Yes |
External flash ⓘExternal flashes are often connected through a hot shoe at the top of a camera, or a cable at the side of the camera. |
 Yes | Yes |
GPS ⓘGPS features in a camera will include location metadata to each of your photographs. |
✗ | ✗ |
Weather sealing ⓘWeather sealing capabilities will give you more confidence when shooting in unfavourable conditions. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen type | LCD | LCD |
Touch screen ⓘTouchscreen allows you to change camera settings and access menus with a swipe of your finger, instead of using buttons. |
 Yes | Yes |
| Screen size | 3" | 3" |
Screen dots ⓘScreen dots indicate the resolution of the LCD screen by including each sub pixel. |
10370001150001500000 | 10400001150001500000 |
Flip screen ⓘA flip screen (or articulating screen) is a second screen which can flip out from the side or top of the camera. This rotating screen allows you more freedom to take photos at different angles. |
 Yes | Yes |
Live view ⓘLive View feature allows you to see a continuous live video of what is being seen through your lens. |
 Yes | Yes |
Wi-Fi ⓘBuilt-in Wi-Fi allows you to connect your camera and share images wirelessly. |
 Yes | Yes |
Bluetooth ⓘBluetooth capabilities allow you wireless control of your camera with other external devices. |
✗ | ✗ |
| Storage & battery | 21/100 | 21/100 |
Read the Storage & battery ComparisonStorage and BatteryThe G80 rates at 330 shots per charge under its test conditions, against 310 for the E-M5 Mark II, a 20-shot margin. Each uses its own battery, an Olympus BLN-1 and a Panasonic pack, so spares are brand-specific. Neither charges over USB. Storage is a shared convenience: both accept SD, SDHC and SDXC cards in a single slot. There is no second slot for overflow or backup on either camera, so carry a spare card for event days. | ||
| Memory card | SD / SDHC / SDXC | SD / SDHC / SDXC |
| Dual memory card slots | ✗ | ✗ |
| Battery type | BLN-1 | Lithium-ion |
Battery life ⓘApproximately how long this cameras battery will last measured by how many photographs you will be able to take. |
310 shots1505000 | 330 shots1505000 |
| USB charging | ✗ | ✗ |
Read: Verdict
Verdict
Choose the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G80 if video is part of your photography, because its 4K recording and built-in flash cover family clips and fill light in one body. Its 1/16000 second shutter also suits shooting wide apertures in bright conditions. Both bodies share the same lens mount, stabilisation, viewfinder and weather sealing, so the G80 adds capability without giving up the shared core.
Choose the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark II when your work is stills-led: its broader 81-point autofocus spread and 10 fps bursts suit children, pets and sport. It also offers the higher 60 fps maximum video frame rate. If your shooting mixes stills and video, the G80's 4K recording and built-in flash make it the stronger all-rounder.